Chapter 33

Since then, there has been no visit from Prince Cedric. I subtly asked the captain if perhaps she had firmly told him off, but she only said, “No, not really.”

...

The play "The White Princess and the Blue Lizard" performed in the Randal language turned out to be excellent in both lines and acting, and I thought (this is the end of the play-style lessons).

However, Mrs. Eva said, “I really want my husband to see it. We want to see it too.”

Thinking it made sense, I agreed. Then the maids said,

“If Mr. Anderson is going to see it, we need costumes.”

“But it’s just a play for language lessons, so there’s no need to go that far...”

“No! Leave it to us, Victoria. The costume team is really enthusiastic. They said they already have designs for the three costumes when we were chatting before.”

The Anderson family has a specialist who sews everyday clothes.

(I see, for a wealthy noble family, making costumes for children is no big deal), I understood.

Two costumes were sewn for Sir Clark: a simple blue lizard costume and a splendid one for the beautiful young prince. For Nona, a black witch’s dress, a pointed hat, and a cute wand were prepared.

“Nona! My little witch! What a cute witch. The black dress really brings out your blonde hair.”

“Bicky, can I keep this?”

“You like the witch’s dress? I’ll ask Mrs. Eva to buy it for you. Leave it to me.”

“Yay! Thank you!”

It was all going well up to this point.

For my role as the princess,

“I’ll use one of my own dresses!”

I pleaded, but it was not accepted. A fluffy pink dress was to be made for the princess.

“Mrs. Eva, I’m a governess, and to have the most elaborate and expensive dress made for me among the three is too much. I really should wear my own...”

“It’s fine. You’ve brought such joy to our home, which has few entertainments. Our family can afford to make a dress for you. Don’t worry about it. I’m going to a charity event now.”

Mrs. Eva said this with a smile and left.

“Such...”

I stretched out my right arm toward Mrs. Eva’s retreating figure and slumped my shoulders.

Five days later.

“Victoria, the princess’s dress is ready!”

The maid held up a baby pink dress that was so adorable it made my face twitch.

(This dress looks like something a girl in her early teens would wear... Yes, the princess is a teenager, but still!)

I was speechless at the dress the maids proudly handed me.

“Can you try it on and show everyone? I’m looking forward to it,” Mrs. Eva urged me, and I couldn’t refuse the expectant gazes of Nona and Sir Clark.

(I wish I could faint...)

I wished for it as I slowly changed in the next room. After the fitting, I clenched my back teeth and stepped out to everyone.

“Bicky, you look beautiful!”

“Teacher, you look great!”

The children praised me. Mrs. Eva and the maids were also very pleased. I was sweating, but if everyone was happy, it was fine, I thought. My back teeth hurt from clenching them so hard.

“Right! Let’s invite Jeff too. We can perform the play on his day off, right?”

(No! Mrs. Eva!) I wanted to shout but held back.

If I said, “I don’t want the captain to see me in a baby pink dress,” she would ask, “Why?” and I wouldn’t be able to answer.

I clenched my back teeth again and smiled, agreeing.

Mrs. Eva sent a messenger that day to find out the captain’s next day off, set the date, and secured his commitment. Mrs. Eva must be a very capable lady as a countess. Her efficiency was frustrating.

“Oh, I’m so excited. Aren’t you, Victoria?”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it…”

Suddenly, I remembered a job from years ago.

I infiltrated the mansion of a high-ranking noble in the Haggle Kingdom as a servant for five months and communicated with a female informant. The woman living in the mansion was a candidate for the marquis’s second wife.

She used to wear baby pink dresses. She was twenty-two at the time, but with her childlike face and doll-like appearance, baby pink dresses suited her well regardless of her age.

One day, the noble realized she had overheard his crimes and taken evidence, so we had to escape with her. I was waiting anxiously at the meeting place when she arrived in a conspicuous pink dress.

“I told you to wear something inconspicuous... We have to traverse mountain paths.”

“I’ll change then.”

“No, you can’t. If we’re found, we’ll be killed.”

“This is impossible! I’m so tired of it!”

“Quiet! If we’re discovered here, we’re both finished.”

She kept whining and cursing me while we were running in the baby pink dress. When I made her change into civilian clothes halfway, she refused to walk, saying, “I’m too tired.”

“He loves me, so he won’t kill me even if he finds us. It’s okay.”

I held back my anger, gently comforted her, encouraged her, held her hand, protected her from the pursuers, and continued to run toward the capital of Haggle. When I finally handed her over to the handler, I had four large canker sores in my mouth.

(I’ve done jobs like that. This is nothing.)

On the day of the performance, the captain arrived at the Anderson house with a large bouquet of white and pink flowers.

“For the White Princess,” he said, offering them to me.

“Captain, I’m very happy, but today is the children’s performance. I’m sorry.”

“Of course, I have sweets as rewards for Clark and Nona too. But I thought a bouquet for the princess would be nice.”

“In that case, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

“Victoria, your usual calm attire is nice, but the pink dress is also very cute.”

“...”

I’ve already thrown everything into the container of patience, sealed it, and want to burn it as soon as the play is over. It’s too embarrassing.

At twenty-seven, wearing a fluffy baby pink dress with ribbons and frills. Can I ever forget this...?

That day, the children’s adorable play captivated the adults. I was surprised to see Mr. Bernard take off his glasses and press a handkerchief to his eyes. There was no reason to cry in this play. I wondered if I would cry watching this play when I reached his age, and I felt warm as I watched Mr. Bernard.

Lord Michael Anderson, Sir Clark’s father, was also very satisfied.

“Victoria, it was exceptionally well done. Your work exceeded my expectations. I hope you will continue to be Clark’s governess for a long time.”

“Yes, Victoria. I’m proud to have you as our governess.”

“I love your lessons, Teacher!”

I gratefully accepted the Anderson family’s praise with a smile. The play lesson was very enjoyable. I even found myself thinking (what kind of lesson should I do next) while doing housework.

The captain seemed about to say something to me after the Anderson family, but when I gave him a look that said, “You don’t need to say anything!” he closed his mouth.

Thank you for understanding, Captain!

That night, my back teeth hurt so much that I had trouble chewing meat, and Nona became worried.

Nona visited the main house with the witch’s dress and hat she had successfully obtained. She asked the people in the main house,

“Why didn’t you invite us to the play?”

I was scolded by them.